Mattress firmness refers to the cushioning of a mattress and is one of the most significant variables to consider when buying a new bed. The hardness of your bed affects how it feels at first and how much pressure relief it gives.
Most mattress manufacturers rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. To some degree, choosing the proper hardness level is a matter of personal choice, but it is mostly determined by your sleeping position and body weight.
We go through each mattress firmness and how to choose which one is best for you based on your sleeping position, size, and whether or not you share your bed.
1. What is mattress firmness?
The firmness of a mattress relates to how soft or firm it is. While each manufacturer may have their own technique for determining firmness, we utilize a standard 10-point scale. Firmer surfaces are on the higher end, while softer mattresses are on the lower end.
The firmness of a mattress is mostly determined by factors such as materials and structure. The majority of models include a comfort mechanism built over a support core. The comfort system is primarily intended to relieve pressure on pressure points such as the hips and shoulders.
Polyfoam, memory foam, latex, and fiber are all common materials. Thicker layers made of less pliable materials lead to a harder surface, whereas thicker comfort systems comprised of more conforming materials tend to give the mattress a softer feel.
Between the comfort system and the support core, a transition layer can operate as a buffer. This component might impact the apparent hardness and intensify the contouring.
The support core’s purpose is to bolster the mattress and prevent the sleeper from sinking too far into it. It’s critical for providing equal support and maintaining a more neutral spine.
Support and hardness are two distinct properties, despite the fact that customers frequently mix them together. The comfort layer is largely responsible for firmness, whereas the mattress core is responsible for support. This implies that a mattress might be soft and supportive while still being stiff and unsupportive.
For each sleeper, no one firmness level is appropriate. Weight, body shape, and favorite sleeping position all determine how comfortable and supportive something is for you.
When it comes to purchasing a mattress, hardness isn’t the only element to consider. Other factors that might affect overall comfort include durability, temperature neutrality, and responsiveness.
2. Mattress firmness scale
Because there is no globally acknowledged measurement for mattress firmness, each manufacturer is free to develop their own method. A 10-point scale, on the other hand, is widely used. Our approach can help you get a better understanding of how a mattress will feel and how it compares to other models in terms of firmness.
2.1 Soft (1-2)
Soft mattresses, which range from 1 to 2 on the mattress scale, provide the greatest cushioning of any other mattress. Soft mattresses embrace and sink deeply into your body.
For small and side sleepers, a soft mattress is typically the best option. Side sleepers require more cushioning to avoid pressure points on the stomach and hips, whereas petite sleepers want a softer bed to appropriately cushion the body due to the fact that they do not exert as much weight on the bed.
There is, however, such a thing as excessive contouring and sinkage. As a result, really soft mattresses are unusual. The majority of softer mattresses are more of a medium-soft than a real soft.
2.2 Medium – soft (3-4)
Medium-soft mattresses have a firmness rating of 3 to 4 and are far more popular than soft mattresses. A medium-soft mattress moulds to your body like a soft mattress, but it is firmer and has a thinner comfort layer than a soft mattress, so you won’t sink and feel trapped in bed.
Medium-soft mattresses are a wonderful choice for those who require padding to avoid pressure points but don’t want to feel trapped in their bed, as a soft mattress may. For side sleepers and tiny people, medium-soft mattresses are ideal.
2.3 Medium (5-6)
Medium mattresses have a firmness rating of 5 to 6 and offer a nice blend of support and cushioning. They’re a popular mattress firmness since they accommodate a wide range of people. Even if a brand’s mattress selection is limited, a medium mattress is nearly always available.
Medium mattresses are supportive enough to permit numerous postures but not so cushiony that they are difficult to shift for those of us who change positions frequently at night.
Medium beds are also ideal for couples with diverse body shapes and sleeping positions. Medium mattresses are soft enough for petite people to sleep on comfortably.
2.4 Medium-firm (7-8)
Medium-firm mattresses are a 7 to 8 on the firmness scale, and they give enough cushioning to keep you from sinking.
Back sleepers are usually most comfortable on a medium-firm bed. A medium-firm mattress can also keep you from sinking in your bed if you weigh more than 230 pounds. In addition, if you suffer from persistent back pain, medium-firm mattresses are a fantastic option for relieving your suffering.
2.5 Firm (9-10)
Mattresses that are stiff and hard are as stiff and rigid as beds can get. The comfort layers are quite thin, while the foundation layers are substantial.
Extremely hard beds (10) are uncommon, much like extra soft beds (1). Extra hard mattresses are a little too stiff for most individuals, and they can lead to discomfort, aches, and pressure buildup. The standard firm mattress (number 9) is the most prevalent.
Some people may associate the word “firm” with discomfort, although firm beds may be quite pleasant. On a firm bed, your comfort is determined by your size and sleeping position.
Larger sleepers require a firmer sleep surface to support their bodies and keep the bed from sinking. Back and stomach sleepers, meanwhile, require a firm bed to avoid their lower backs and spines from sinking and causing misalignment.
3. How to choose the right firmness for mattresses
It might be difficult to figure out what firmness level is best for you. The performance of the bed is influenced by factors such as your body type and preferred sleeping position, and no one firmness level is optimal for everyone.
While most people favor firmness levels of 4 to 7, your preference is determined by personal circumstances. We’ll go through important contributing factors to help you determine your ideal range.
3.1 Body weight and firmness levels
Your body type may influence which stiffness is most comfortable for you.
Because each person exerts varied pressure to the sleep surface depending on their weight, the same mattress will likely seem softer to a bigger person and firmer to a lighter one.
While everyone’s tastes are different, knowing how weight affects sleep might help you figure out what’s ideal for you.
Sleepers of all weight groups choose a mattress that balances contouring and support to relieve discomfort and promote good posture. Sleepers who weigh less often demand a softer mattress, whilst those who weigh more typically want stronger support.
Firmness preferences can also be influenced by weight distribution. For example, a tall person’s weight is distributed across a significantly wider surface area than a short person’s. As a result, a tall sleeper may find the same mattress harder than a short sleeper of the same weight.
3.2 Sleeping position and firmness levels
Which portions of your body make touch with the mattress and to what extent depends on your sleeping posture. To avoid pain, choose a hardness level that delivers the proper combination of support and contouring to fit your desired posture.
- Side sleeping: Side sleepers put a lot of strain on their hips and shoulders. Overly firm mattresses can throw the spine out of alignment and cause pressure to build up in certain places. A too-soft sleep surface, on the other hand, might cause bad posture due to excessive drooping.
Plusher surfaces that cushion or cradle the body are typically beneficial to sleepers who like to sleep on their sides. Many side sleepers prefer hardness levels ranging from gentle (2) to firm (4), depending on their weight (7).
- Back sleeping: Back sleepers should choose for a somewhat firmer mattress to avoid sagging in the middle. Subtle cradling can support the lumbar area while keeping the spine in a more neutral position.
Mattresses that are overly soft or too hard might cause lower back pain. Firmness ratings ranging from mild (3) to firm (4) are preferred by back sleepers (8).
- Stomach sleeping: Because of the risk of strain, most people should avoid sleeping on their stomachs. A mattress with insufficient support can cause the midsection to sink, resulting in an abnormal arch in the lower back, which can cause pain.
As a result, stomach sleepers like firmer models over side or back sleepers. Depending on the weight of the sleeper, a grade of mild (3) to firm (8) may be appropriate.
- Combination sleeping: Even during a single night, combination sleepers move between several sleep positions. Because their demands fluctuate with each position, these sleepers may have a difficult time determining their ideal firmness level.
As a result, intermediate firmness levels are preferred by most combination sleepers, with beds ranging from gentle (3) to hard (5). (8).
3.3 Other things to consider
While hardness has a big influence on how your bed feels and performs, there are a lot of other things to think about when buying a mattress.
- The preferences of your partner
It’s crucial to think about both couples’ wants and preferences when choosing a mattress to share. Many couples make a compromise by selecting a sleep surface that is somewhere in the middle of their chosen firmness levels. However, if your partner’s body shape and/or sleeping habits are vastly different from yours, a split mattress may be worth investigating.
- Neutrality of temperature
Overheating is a prevalent issue that can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Softer mattresses are more likely to adhere to the shape of the sleeper’s body and contain materials that retain heat, such as memory foam. Firmer mattresses with less sinkage sleep cooler because they enable more air to circulate around the body.
- Durability
Firmer mattresses wear out faster than softer mattresses with plush materials. Comfort layers that are thick and soft may droop or develop permanent indentations sooner, reducing support and causing pain.
- Price
Firmer mattresses with smaller comfort layers are less expensive to build since they utilize less material. Other considerations, such as the usage of specialist components or one-of-a-kind designs, might, nevertheless, influence price.
- Weight of mattress
It might be more difficult to put up or transport heavier mattresses. Softer models are thicker and heavier, especially if latex or coil layers are used.
- Odor potential
The majority of new synthetic mattresses have a distinct chemical stench that goes away after a few days. This is due to off-gassing, which occurs when new mattresses produce volatile organic chemicals (VOCs).
Off-gassing is more common in some materials, such as foam. Because many softer mattresses have more layers of foam, they may have a stronger odor.
4. What factors influence a mattress’ firmness?
The total hardness of the sleep surface can be influenced by the mattress. There are four basic mattress kinds, each of which is distinguished by its materials.
Understanding the broad qualities of these alternatives might assist you in predicting how they will feel and behave. However, due to their distinct designs and materials, there are differences between models of comparable architectures.
- Innerspring: Mattresses with innersprings were previously the most prevalent. A coil support core, which is usually constructed of steel, is used. While the coil design and gauge have an affect on how a model feels and performs, these beds are recognized for being bouncy, breathable, and supportive. Because most innersprings lack substantial comfort layers, they tend to be stiffer.
- Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses combine an innerspring’s coil support core with the deeper comfort layers of a foam or latex mattress. These mattresses usually have a tough, responsive surface that contours to ease pressure. Most customers should be able to find a model in their chosen stiffness range among hybrids, which come in a number of firmness options.
- Foam: Polyfoam, memory foam, and/or latex make up foam mattresses. They have a tendency to hug the body and give a lot of pressure alleviation. All-foam mattresses are often softer than other mattress kinds, while there are those that are quite hard.
- Latex: Latex is a responsive substance that distributes the weight of the sleeper’s body over a larger surface area, easing pressure while reducing sinkage. Latex beds are also well-known for their long-term durability. The firmness of Talalay latex varies greatly across models, however it is often softer than Dunlop latex.
5. Frequently asked questions
- What does it mean to have “universal comfort”?
Some mattress makers label their products as “universally pleasant,” however this generally refers to a medium or medium-firm hardness (5 to 8 on the firmness scale).
Although a universal comfort mattress may seem appealing since it eliminates the hassle of deciding on a mattress firmness, there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” mattress. Although medium and medium-firm mattresses provide a good blend of comfort and support, you may require more or less.
- What is the ideal mattress firmness?
Because firmness is subjective, there is no one optimal firmness for a mattress. Your preferred firmness is determined by your body type and sleeping position. You may then discover the firmness that is best for you.
- Is it true that mattresses become softer over time?
Yes. This isn’t to say that your new mattress will get noticeably softer after only a few months of use. Instead, after several years of usage, your mattress will soften and become lumpy, and you’ll need to replace it.
The longevity of your mattress will vary depending on the type of mattress you have—memory foam, latex, hybrid, and so on—but mattresses normally last 7 to 10 years. With this in mind, the hardness of your mattress has no bearing on its longevity.
- Is it true that soft mattresses are unhealthy for you?
A soft mattress isn’t always negative for you as long as the firmness is appropriate for your body and demands. On the other hand, an old mattress that has gone soft, lumpy, and saggy is bad for you because it’s worn down and unsupportive, not necessarily because it’s soft.
